What goes on inside the mind of an infant? In this course we will explore a variety of hot topics concerninghow babies experience the world around them. We will cover topics such as temperament (Do babies get mad?), language and communication (How do infants learn words and what if a baby is exposed to more than one language?), the effects of poverty on the developing brain (Does it matter?), social categories and relationships (Do babies notice differences across people?), and morality (Do babies have a sense of justice?). We will also discuss how to put child development research into practice, for example, byconsidering research relevant to policies concerning vaccination, early childhood education, and whether screen time is okay for babies. If you are curious about the developing mind, human nature, or considering a career in a field that involves children (e.g., education, medicine, public policy) this course is for you. PREREQ: This Sophomore Seminar is open to students from all majors. Enrollment is restricted to 20 sophomores or permission of instructor. Students are required to register for both the lecture and one lab section.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU BA; AS SSC
